Pre 1953 documents:
RAAF file 114/1/197 (opened in August 1953) is titled: “Reports on Flying Saucers and other unusual objects Oct 53-Apr 55.” It is a mix of sighting reports, policy and general correspondence, and is the earliest file previously located by UFO researchers. Given that the modern UFO phenomenon began in 1947, it is reasonable to expect for there to be Department of Air/RAAF files from the period 1947 to October 1953.
After much searching, we have recently located a file in the NAA, which was opened on 21 August 1950. It is titled: “Reports on unusual activity and aerial phenomena.” It is listed as series number B5758, control symbol 5/6/AIR part 1. The front cover indicates the Unit which held it as “Headquarters Training Command.” It also carries a rubber stamped number 80/3/105. There are six folios earlier than October 1953. These are:
- Confidential memo from RAAF East Sale to HQ Southern Area dated 15 August 1950. Relates to a report of light flashes seen from Perry Bridge on Lake Wellington.
- Memo dated 24 August 1950 forwarding report at folio 1 from Southern Area RAAF to DAFI.
- RAAF telegram dated 20 August 1950 from Wing Commander SASO to RAAF HQ giving details of aircraft navigation exercises in vicinity of Port Albert re reported flares and lights in that area.
- Memo. 14 Feb 1951. From RAAF East Sale to HQ Southern Command. Report that Captain of RAAF aircraft on 7 February 1951 observed at 2330hrs a brilliant light. The pilot believed it to be either a flare on the ground or one at very low altitude.
- Memo. 16 January 1951. From Chief of Air Staff to HQs Southern Area; Eastern Area; North Eastern Area; North Western Area and Western Area. “A number of reports have been made by Areas regarding unusual sightings which have been brought to the notice of various authorities. In order to standardise the reports made about these occurrences, the attached pro-forma has been drafted…It would obviously be unwise to draw any publicity towards Service interest in these reports, and persons making the reports should be asked to treat Service interest as Confidential.”
- Memo. 13 May 1952. From Air Officer Commanding HQ Southern Area to DAFI. Details of a sighting. 3 May 1952 0545hrs Kew. Bullet nosed object travelling at high speed leaving a vapour trail.
We are in the process of preparing a summary of file 5/6/AIR Part 1, together with a catalogue of the sightings reports it contains.
Other sources of pre-1953 sightings:
Another source of pre-October 1953 reports of which we are already aware, is a listing attached to Harry Turner’s 1954 report to the RAAF after he was asked to examine two RAAF files. A copy of Turner’s report was located on RAAF file 554/1/30 part 1. Here we find a list of 20 sightings between 16 July 1950 and 31 August 1953. Out of the reports found on B5758, control symbol 5/6/AIR part 1, only one, namely 3 May 1952 from Kew, makes Turner’s list. None of the others between 1950 and Oct 1953 on Turner’s list, turned up in file 5/6/AIR. This indicates to us that there are more undiscovered RAAF/Department of Air files on the subject.
The search for RAAF UFO files dealing with policy matters:
So far we have knowledge of the following RAAF files on which there are papers relating to policy matters.
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File number
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File title
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Date range
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Whereabouts
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5/6/AIR Part 1
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Reports on unusual activity and aerial phenomena.
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21 Aug 1950- Oct 1955
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NAA.
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114/1/197
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Reports on Flying Saucers and other aerial objects
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Oct 53 – Apr 55
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NAA.
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554/1/30 Part 1
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Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy
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20 Jul 53 to 22 Nov 67
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NAA.
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2/25/1
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Unknown
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Opening date unknown. In 1966 this file was “closed off.”
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This file is mentioned in a RAAF minute dated 24 Oct 1966 on file 554/1/30 part 1.
In responding to our 2004 FOI request, the RAAF advised, that despite a search, this file could not be located.
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574/3/88
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Unknown
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Opening date unknown. In 1966 this file was “closed off.”
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This file is mentioned in a RAAF minute dated 24 Oct 1966 on file 554/1/30 part 1.
In responding to our 2004 FOI request, the RAAF advised that they physically held this file, but as it contained papers over 30 years old they could not release it under FOI. Advice is that RAAF Historical Unit may be able to make a determination on the file. Request submitted to them 16 March 2004.
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File number
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File title
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Date range
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Whereabouts
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569/5/461
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Unknown
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Opening date unknown. In 1966 this file was rationalised.
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This file is mentioned in a RAAF minute dated 24 Oct 1966 on file 554/1/30 part 1.
We incorrectly asked the RAAF under our 2004 FOI to look for file 659/5/461.
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554/1/30 Part 2
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Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy
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67-72?
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In responding to our 2004 FOI request, the RAAF advised that they physically held this file, but as it contained papers over 30 years old they could not release it under FOI. Advice is that RAAF Historical Unit may be able to make a determination on the file. Request submitted to them 16 March 2004.
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554/1/30 Part 3
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Investigations of Flying Saucers Policy
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26 May 1972 to 2 Feb 1984.
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Copy obtained from RAAF under FOI.
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AF 84/3508 Part 1
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Unknown.
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3 Feb 1984 -??
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We asked RAAF about this file but they advise they can not find it.
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A9755 Parts 1-23
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Various
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